ATLANTA — Education groups largely opposed Gov. Nathan Deal’s proposal allowing the state to take over schools dubbed “chronically failing” are speaking out.

The Senate Education committee on Monday heard more than an hour of testimony. Deal’s plan would let an appointed superintendent select up to 20 schools deemed failing each year and make them into charters, close them or overhaul management.

Jimmy Stokes is the executive director of Georgia Association of Educational Leaders. He told committee members that Georgia should look to its own well-performing districts rather than states like Louisiana or Tennessee where a takeover model is being used.

The change would take a constitutional amendment, requiring two-thirds approval from lawmakers and a statewide ballot planned for 2016.

The committee plans to hear more testimony on Wednesday.

Associated Press